Sea Village of Rescue, VA

28 Apr 26:

Nearby sea village of Rescue, where the deadrise workboats brin in crab or oysters during the season. Situated on Jones Creek, with a short run to the Pagan River (Formerly Warrakoyack) and then out into the James River. Locals have been working these waters for several thousand years.

Oyster tongs

The Rescue, Virginia, post office (ZIP code 23424) opened on October 21, 1889

Fixer Upper. It was pretty under the vinyl siding.

Being quietly historic and ignored, the original chunk on the port side of the Battery Park in the trading town of Patesfield dates to the 1680s. A light was lit from the upper floor to help mariners navigate the entrance intp Pagan Creek.

 

Armed Schooner PATRIOT of the American Revolution

29 Apr 26:

Near the Mariner's Museum in Newport News is this plaque with information on the armed schooner PATRIOT. She was campaigned valiantly by Lt James Watkins and Pilot Cesar Tarrant, but was captured by the British. Her fate was better than most of the Virginia State Navy. 

There is a new observation pier being built where the plaque used to be, we will check in to make sure it gets placed in a new spot once the construction is complete.

It's fun to think about this river being traversed by ships of the Royal Navy and "sharp actions" with the Patriot's small maritime forces.

Zero Cats Required

 28 Apr 26:

Research Assistant Pixy checking out the boat shop.

Skipper, Capn Jack and ONKAHYE

 30 Apr 26:

Capn Jack and Skipper put her Drascombe Lugger ONKAHYE through her paces on the Santa Rosa Sound. 

Shirley Hogge Maritime Artist

 26 Apr 26:

Hampton Roads maritime artist Shirley Hogge painted this scene of the steamboat ISLE of WIGHT departing Pagan Creek in Smithfield, VA. There are the peanut factories and warehouses on Wharf Hill in the background and an intriguing bowsprit of a skipjack in the foreground. Wof course are most interested in the small boats that ISLE of WIGHT carries.

Blackwater River

25 Apr 26: 

Once navigable by steamboat and small craft, the Blackwater River on the western side of our county is now hindered by deadfall and silting, so bring your saw and a bucket. These waterways kept export and import flowing for the Patriots, as the British maritime forces were not geared up for inland operations. Once the farm truck arrived on the scene, the government shut down programs to keep the waterway clear.

 

Hampton Roads Steamboats

24 Apr 26:

 Maybe these will make a comeback, take a trip from Newport News to Richmond, enjoy a ham sandwich and lemonade, read the paper. Many boats had a day cabin. We of course are keenly interested in the yawls that they carried for ship to shore ops and marking channels.

W. L. Fuller Countersink Bit Set

 23 Apr 26:

We use these bits a lot on our wooden boats along with silicone bronze wood screws from Fairwinds Fasteners.

"The Fuller #8 Countersink Set contains five type C countersinks for wood screw sizes #6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 with 3/8" and 1/2" cutting diameters. Five matching taper point drills, 3/8" and 1/2" stop collars, 3/8" and 1/2" plug cutters, and two hex keys are all included in a really nice-looking mahogany case.
Fuller countersinks will last a lifetime if taken care of. The number 8 is our most popular set, favored by wooden boat builders, woodworkers, and other craftsmen."

Video

FMI: Jamestown Distributors

Freshwater Wash Down for the Fleet

 12 Apr 26:

De-pollened the Fleet today.

The Virginia State Navy and Isle of Wight County Mariners of the American Revolution

 11 Apr 26:

Our presentation: